သံဃာေတာ္မ်ား အစာငတ္ခံ ဆႏၵျပၾကမည္....

For immediate release Contacts: Ashin Nyaka 347-665-5323
May 15, 2008 Ashin Candobhasacara 716-512-3801

BURMESE MONKS FAST IN ALARM AND GRIEF FOR CYCLONE VICTIMS
WHO ARE BEING STARVED THROUGH WILLFUL GOVERNMENT NEGLECT
Petition the United Nations to Take Action on Increasing Burmese crisis

When: Thursday, May 15th 3-6pm
Friday, May 16th, 9am-6pm

Where: Ralph Bunch Park 43rd St. and 1st Ave.

Visuals: 15 maroon robed Burmese monks and their supporters fasting, meditating and praying for Burma. Banners and signs.

What: 15 Burmese monks, members of the International Burmese Monks Organization, and their supporters will fast outside of the United Nations on May 15 -16th. Their goal is to persuade the United Nations to get unrestricted aid into Burma immediately. A number of the monks, relocated to the US from Burma after the monk-led protests last fall was brutally suppressed by the military junta, will be participating.

“We are not eating because our people are not eating. They are starving while the world waits and the Burmese generals steal the food aid. Maybe when the United Nations sees hungry people outside their doors, they will act more decisively,” said Ashin Nyaka, who is a visiting professor at Columbia University. The monk said they will not take food from Thursday morning until Saturday morning.

The monks petition the United Nations to take a more active, immediate role in getting supplies to cyclone victims before more die. They request the UN to act immediately to ensure that the victims are receiving the international aid that is amassed outside Burma’s borders. As one Burmese journalist inside Burma said, “One day’s delay can cause the loss of hundreds of lives.”

Twelve days after Cyclone Nargis hit the southern Burmese coast, Burma faces further crisis as the junta refuses to acknowledge the immensity of the disaster and the at least 2 million people who are on the brink of starvation and an epidemic of disease. The junta is refusing to give visas to many international aid workers and much of the donated food and supplies are not being delivered to victims. There are many accounts of the military siphoning off food to feed its soldiers, and supplies being sold on the black market.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon addressed the crisis this way on Monday, "We are at a critical point. Unless more aid gets into the country very quickly, we face an outbreak of infectious diseases that could dwarf today's current crisis.” Food aid delivered so far amounts to about one tenth of what is needed.

The monks delivered a letter to Mr. Ban asking him to go to Burma himself to assess the situation. They are also asking the UN Security Council to respond to this crisis with stronger diplomacy and even under the “responsibility to protect” of the UN charter.
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International Burmese Monks Organization 84-32 Apt. #2A Grand Ave Elmhurst, NY 11373
Phone & Fax: (718) 426-3959 Email: ibmohq@gmail.com www.burmesemonks.org

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Jamaica and Taiwan Actions

October 13, 2007

Jamaica Action

On October 14, Burmese in Jamaica will actively hold a prayer service to pray for the monks and all people of Burma.

With the recent “Saffron Revolution” taken place, not only the Burmese people but also many native Jamaicans have felt the pain of seeing peacefully protesting monks and people being killed by the regime in Burma. On October 8, many Burmese people joined by some Jamaicans held a candle light vigil for those that involved in the movement in Burma at a park.

Dr. Soe Naung has been one of the approximately 300 residents living on the island for many years now. He is one of the most vocal people about the Burma regime’s brutality. He met with Prime Minister of Jamaica and requested for help.



Peaceful movement inside Burma has received much of sympathy from the people of Jamaica and their Prime Minister. With the request of Dr. Soe Naung, Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said to help. Dr. Naung said, “I will continue to do my best to get any necessary assistance, such as help at the United Nations, from the government of Jamaica.”

Military junta’s crackdown on the monks and people have caused immense pain in the hearts of Burmese and many Jamaicans in Jamaica. Many Burmese people said they will continue to do what they can to help the people of Burma.

Taiwan Action



On October 6, Burmese and Taiwanese joined together calling on the regime to stop killing the monks and people in Burma.

Last Saturday a rally was held in a pouring rain in Taiwan, where tens of thousands of Burmese live, chanted “We don’t need killer regime” and urging the regime to release all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

On the island rules by a democratically elected government, Burmese and Taiwanese expressed freely of their desire and freedom for Burma.

Protesters wearing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi picture-masks walked on Taiwan main streets showing support for the oppressed Burmese monks, students, and people.

Many activists at the rally continue to express of their sorrow for monks, students, and people who were killed, arrested, and tortured, vow to step up with support to achieve freedom and democracy in Burma.